escapar Preterite Conjugation
escapar — escape
The preterite of escapar is regular: escapé, escapaste, escapó, escapamos, escapasteis, escaparon.
escapar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite to describe a specific instance of getting away or fleeing that was completed at a definite point in time. It is perfect for narrating the climax of a story.
Notes on escapar in the Preterite
Escapar is fully regular in the preterite. Remember that 'escapamos' can be both present and preterite; look for time markers like 'ayer' to tell the difference.
Example Sentences
Por fin escapé de esa reunión tan aburrida.
I finally escaped from that very boring meeting.
yo
El ladrón escapó por la ventana trasera.
The thief escaped through the back window.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros escapamos justo antes de que empezara la lluvia.
We escaped just before the rain started.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: escapo (without accent) for the third person.
Correct: escapó
Why: Without the accent, 'escapo' means 'I escape' in the present tense.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: escapo
The present tense of escapar is regular: escapo, escapas, escapa, escapamos, escapáis, escapan.
Imperfect
yo: escapaba
The imperfect of escapar follows the regular -aba pattern: escapaba, escapabas, escapaba, escapábamos, escapabais, escapaban.
Future
yo: escaparé
The future tense of escapar uses the infinitive as a base: escaparé, escaparás, escapará, escaparemos, escaparéis, escaparán.
Conditional
yo: escaparía
The conditional of escapar is regular: escaparía, escaparías, escaparía, escaparíamos, escaparíais, escaparían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: escape
The present subjunctive of escapar uses the 'e' endings: escape, escapes, escape, escapemos, escapéis, escapen.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: escapara
The imperfect subjunctive of escapar is formed from the 'ellos' preterite: escapara, escaparas, escapara, escapáramos, escaparais, escaparan.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: escapa
The affirmative imperative of escapar uses: escapa (tú), escapad (vosotros), and subjunctive forms for others.
Negative Imperative
yo: no escapes
The negative imperative of escapar uses the present subjunctive forms: no escapes, no escape, no escapemos, no escapéis, no escapen.